John Hancock

John Hancock (23 January 1737 [O.S. 12 January 1736] – 8 October 1793) was an American merchant, statesman and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that the term John Hancock has become a synonym in the United States for one's signature.

"Which great American patriot was called the 'Prince of Smugglers'? ... John Hancock (1737-1793), the resourceful Boston merchant who defied British mercantilist restrictions and, with his sloop Liberty, smuggled cloth, hardware, coal, wine, tea, and other contraband. He led protests against British taxes. Hancock was president of the Second Continental Congress, the first elected governor of Massachusetts, and the first to sign the Declaration of Independence."